Snub Nose - Biggest comfortable Carry

[dagger dog]

A 2" round butt Mdl 10, gives you the extra shot over the J frame, will handle the +P's and with a set of compact grips,is still a small package, but with enough weight as not to blister you, and will be easier on the pocket than a Colt DS!

 

[Bill_G]

How about Ruger Sixes?

nobody's mentioned the ruger speed or security six's with the 2.75" barrel. do you think that is TOO heavy for belt carry??

if i remember right, the US Postal Inspectors carried this for a while.

what do you all think of this? i would think the +p's would be pretty mild out of it.

Bill

 

[QUICK_DRAW_McGRAW]

i switch between my Kel-tec pf-9 9mm in my front pocket and my Rossi m461 6shot .357mag snubbie for carry. i love both but the recoil on the 9mm is more harsh then the .357mag full power federal loads i carry and shoot.

 

[DarkSoldier]

My carry snub (BUG) in medium caliber is a 2 inch Colt Lawman 357. It's big, it's heavy and it will pump out full magnum loads 24-7-365 without shooting loose. Fast accurate followup shots are easy even with magnums and it's a puppy with plus P level practice handloads. It comes out of a coat pocket or an IWB holster smooth and quick. To me, all those things are what a snub is all about.

My second choice would be any of Smith 38 or 357 K or L frame snubs. The Ks seem to be a little more fragile with a steady diet of heavy loads than that tank of a Lawman but they're still great carry guns.

Respectfully,

DarkSoldier

 

[S&Wfan]

Hi Fatboy,

Yep, in a lightweight J-frame the +P ammo is gonna hurt. You can lessen this fact with a high grip on the little gun and a real firm grip with the strong hand and a firm grip pushing towards you with your support hand.

This will direct the recoil straight down your arm and body so your wrist and hands don't get hammered.

THE PERFECT GUN?

There is no perfect gun for everything . . . that's why we end up with many through the years.


GRIPS CAN HELP, BUT . . .

The Goodyear rubbers out there lessen the felt recoil, but don't allow the little snubbies to be as thin and concealable. So, my Uncle Mikes stay at home and I use the factory wood grips.

WHY?

Just like when deer hunting, you will NOT feel the recoil under the stress and excitement of using your little J frame for self defense!


My steel framed Model 36 is more fun to shoot than my same-sized Model 37 lightweight. Thus, I practice with the 36 and save the 37 for deep carry and self defense when the 36 would show in the pocket.

Try a steel j-framed Smith next time you go to the range, its always the best choice for a 1st time J frame purchaser. It is more durable, more fun to shoot, and it is still pretty darn easy to tote and conceal!

T.

 

[wnycollector]

+1 of the snubbie Ruger sixes. I own 3 snubs (S&W 638, 36 and Ruger Security six). The Ruger gets carried ALOT, it is the perfect size for IWB carry. If I have to pocket carry I have fallen in love with the m36 that extra few oz's have shrunk my group sizes and dampend the recoil dramatically! It has gotten to the point that I may sell the 638 since it just dont carry it much anymore.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I fire a 15oz J frame (Airweight) with .38 Special +P ammo without pain. (daily carry)
I fire a 24oz J frame (S&W M640-1) with .357 Magnum ammo without pain. (alternate carry)

I did fire a 12oz J frame (Aitlite) with .357 Magnum once and will never do so again unless my life depended upon it. (don't own one, never will)

IMO the weights listed above are the lowest weights acceptable TO ME. Others will have their own limits...

 

[doc540]

I carry this in a SmartCarry.

Most accurate snub I've ever shot.
Very concealable
6 shots w/135gr Gold dots
27oz helps manage the +P recoil



Prior to that I carried a Smith 36
5 shots
23oz

 

[ldp4570]

I carry a S&W 640 no dash with 158gr+P SWCHP. Thats my always gun. As far as larger snubs, I have two K Frames, a 64 2", and a 66 2.5". Those both carry the same load, and are great IWB or OWB guns.

 

[Fat Boy]

Thank you to everyone for the comments - Doc540, I really appreciate the drawing showing sizes of the DS as compared to the model 36.

 

[Huddog]

My daily carry is a S&W 642 loaded with 125 grain gold dots. (Georgia Ammo). I practise with wad cutters and some of what I carry. I carry front pocket. A couple of weeks ago I carried my older S&W Mdl 49, all steel. The weight difference was very significant in my opinion.

 

[MCgunner]

I find my 3" Taurus 66 carries about as easy as my SP101, little more lump under the belt, but it's not much heavier and easier to shoot more accurately with the longer sight radius. I do wish it had a round butt. The SP101 is a sweet gun, though and VERY strong. It's heavy enough to soak up heavy magnum loads, but I have a Hogue grip on it to save my poor middle finger from that trigger guard.

 

[Guillermo]

As one who has carried daily for years, the main consideration that I have had is what I am wearing. When I worked at a place where the uniform was a tucked in polo I carried a NAA Guardian .380 in a Graham rear pocket holster. These days my “uniform” is usually a Hawaiian shirt so I tuck a Colt Detective Special underneath.

In the winter I can hide a Springfield XD 45 or a S&W 686 under a jacket easily but what to do if I go somewhere and it would be appropriate to take off my coat? Always have to plan ahead.

My “formal” days require a sport jacket and anything goes because I rarely have to remove it.

This is a long winded way to say that how you dress is paramount.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

doc540,
What grips are on your M36? Are they made by Craig Spegel?

 

[Ala Dan]

I can carry my 2.5" S&W model 66 in a OWB holster without any problem~!

 

[Spenser]

I've got a S&W Model 60-9 that's been Mag-Na-Ported. It's 22 ounces. With the Mag-na-Porting, it's fairly soft-shooting, even with the full blown 357's in it.

I can't stop talking about this little pistol. I love it.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I can carry my model 49 steel bodyguard in pocket no problem . The weight is not a problem I use a Don Hume Holster . and forget its their.
Few days back I shot a friends new air weight . Sorry it hurt to shoot . I'll stay with my 49. He also traded it off after that one range experiance. His hand was very sore next day. I have a old orginal charter arms 44 spl bull dog. (factory wood grips) I can handel the recoil on that but not a airweight smith.

 

[doc540]

"doc540,
What grips are on your M36? Are they made by Craig Spegel?"

No, they're a poor man's Spegal's

Excaliber checkered rosewood from www.grips4guns.
Great customer service and good people to deal with.

 

[Glockman17366]

I frequently carry a little Taurus 85 (ported, aluminum frame, titanium cylinder/barrel shroud). I've never thought the recoil from .38 +P's was particularly stout.
The other little Taurus, an 851 (titanium with a shrouded hammer and no porting) isn't too bad either.
However, I rarely shoot more then 20 rounds (5 +P's and the remainder standard velocity) through them at one time.

The SP 101 is a hell of a nice gun, and I like to carry that too..but those little lightweight guns are so easy to carry (slip 'em in a pocket (with a holster)) you just know you're going to carry.
And a lightweight revolver with you sure beats a heavier jewel at home, doesn't it?

 

[hinton03]

Was trying to answer a recoil question on the 1911 fourm and ran accross this calculator. Since you can't really calculate felt recoil since it is subjective, I just assume that felt recoil is some combination of the calculations provided.

Hope this helps.

http://www.handloads.com/calc/recoil.asp

 

[FLA2760]

I love my SW model 642 for carry and a few cylinders at the range.The 642 is my BUG. However, for extended range sessions I shoot my circa 1983 model 60. A steel snubby is the way to go if you plan to shoot it often, and if you are going to carry a snubby for self defense you need to shoot it often. Just recently I came across a SW 432 PD (NOS). The 432PD is a 6 shot J frame chambered for the .32H&R mag. I bought it for the wife and I have to say it is very enjoyable to shoot. My wife prefers it to .38 due to her recoil sensitivity. She can put 3 into the CM and the remaining 3 into the head area fast.

 

[Evocatii]

However, for extended range sessions I shoot my circa 1983 model 60. A steel snubby is the way to go if you plan to shoot it often, and if you are going to carry a snubby for self defense you need to shoot it often.

+1

I too carry the model 60 for the proficiency aspect. Practice = competency and competency with a snub is a must. A good IWB holster takes care of the weight and is easy enough to conceal. I practice with 158g American Eagle and the recoil is easy on the hands. It did take some time to become accustomed to.

 

[geologist]

I have this SW model 12 Airweight on my Canadian carry permit. I occassionally carry it in the bush in the winter.

It's not as powerful as my .357magnum or .454 Casull but it sure is light to carry and has that terrific K frame, flat spring trigger pull.